For first time since 2024, Forest Service hires seasonal trails staff
After a hiring freeze that began in the fall of 2024, the U.S. Forest Service is hiring up to 2,000 seasonal staff across the country this year. Hiring seasonal workers is particularly critical after last year’s cuts to regular Forest Service staff.
After a hiring freeze that began in the fall of 2024, the U.S. Forest Service is hiring up to 2,000 seasonal staff across the country this year. WTA is pleased to see Forest Service leadership take this important step to care for our national forests and provide safe public access to public lands.
In 2025, many eyes were on the Enchantments, and how this place would fare with only one backcountry ranger. Photo by David Blair.
Thank you to the more than 1,200 WTA hikers who sent messages to their members of Congress in January, asking that the Forest Service be allowed to hire seasonal staff.
“These positions support important work and services on the forest, including management of world class resources such as The Enchantments and sections of the Pacific Crest Trail,” said Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Supervisor Tara Umphries.
Which national forests in Washington are hiring?
Six national forests in the state are hiring. The number of open positions varies by national forest. (Numbers do not include seasonal fire fighting positions.)
- Colville: 18
- Gifford Pinchot: 33
- Mount Baker-Snoqualmie: 39
- Okanogan-Wenatchee: 51
- Olympic: 6
- Umatilla: 24
The job announcements from the national forests encouraged local residents to apply. This is a reminder that outdoor recreation goes beyond outdoor experiences; it also supports people’s livelihoods. Outdoor recreation supported 237,000 jobs in Washington in 2024 (5.4 percent of our state’s total employment).
Seasonal workers are part of the larger picture at the Forest Service
Hiring seasonal workers is particularly critical after last year’s cuts to regular Forest Service staff.
In 2025, the Forest Service lost 5,800 workers nationally. In Washington state, WTA believes that our national forests lost more than a quarter of the non-firefighting workforce. According to the Forest Service’s own analysis, understaffing is “leading to unpassable trails, unsafe bridges and negative environmental impacts.”
Hiring seasonal staff in 2026 will help protect our national forests against some of those negative impacts — and make it safer for you to get outside.
Beyond the summer season, our national forests need more staff
Hiring seasonal staff for 2026 is an important step, but we have more work to do.
“Unfortunately, there is more work than all of us can accomplish in the year ahead and sustained funding and staffing is needed for our public lands long-term,” said Kindra Ramos, WTA’s chief programs officer.
National forests provide exceptional outdoor experiences, as well as jobs and economic boosts for nearby towns. Photo of Umatilla National Forest by Ethan Harris.
Funding and staffing for national public lands have been declining for decades, even as visitation grows.
WTA is a consistent advocate for staffing at the Forest Service. In February 2025, more than 7,000 of you joined us to call for more staffing.
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Sign up for WTA’s Trail Action Network and we’ll be sure to let you know the next time you can speak up for our national forests and the people who care for them.
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